Greater Manchester CND, Manchester Stop the War Coalition and Manchester Trades Union Council have called a public meeting for next Saturday at which speakers "will set out the case for an independent foreign policy and an economy built on peace and prosperity, not war and austerity"...

As North Korea increasingly becomes a political timebomb, and no-one knows what the future holds for Iran, Iraq, Syria and almost everywhere else where Trump and Putin stick their nose, a public meeting has been called with the title 'Why We Need An Anti-War Government'...

"War is on the horizon. But it doesn't have to be this way" states the blurb for the event, which runs on Saturday 17th February at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester.

The speakers, who include Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton, and Alex Davidson, Secretary of Manchester Trades Union Council, "will set out the case for an independent foreign policy and an economy built on peace and prosperity, not war and austerity" and "will focus on the practical steps the people of Manchester, Salford and towns across Greater Manchester can take to oppose the ruling class's drive to war."

It's organised by Manchester Stop the War Coalition as part of a nationwide tour, and is supported by Greater Manchester and District CND, and Manchester Trades Union Council...

"With the Labour Party led by an anti-war politician of conviction, we have a unique opportunity to elect a government that puts international co-operation, security and peace before a so-called 'special relationship' that makes excuses for US-led imperialist plunder, arms companies' profits and permanent war" says Penny Hicks, Convenor of Manchester Stop the War.

"The fight for peace starts locally" she explains "Manchester has a proud tradition of progressive politics. It declared itself a Nuclear Free City in the 1980s and marched in huge numbers against the war in Iraq. It is vital that we come together and say 'Enough – we are the majority, we demand that our government puts peace before militarism'..."

* After the meeting, at 6:30pm, there's a showing of the original film Godzilla at the Three Minute Theatre in Afflecks Arcade, in Manchester. It's organised by CND - for more details see the Salford Star article - click here